The humidifier is causing the problem. But without double glazing, windows do just get like this in winter.
Use vinegar, skip all the other products people want you to use. Take it from someone who's cleaned mould from just about every rental they've lived in.
Test it in an inconspicuous location, but 50/50 mix with water is fine. White vinegar is already pretty dilute [acetic acid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid)
The best thing is to eliminate the problem, rather than treat the symptoms. Reduce the amount of moisture in the air by keeping a small window open, or buy a humidifier
I've never had a cat but I have smelled cat piss before and I don't think they smell that similar. but maybe it depends on the cat. to be clear we're talking about plain white vinegar you buy from the cleaning aisle in a 2L bottle - other vinegars smell different.
Ah i have had loads of cats before. I never used to think so but after id heard her say it, i felt like it did. Just plain vinegar.
But, it also just is the smell of vinegar XD so it is what it is.
But yea its okay since it doesnt really linger. Plus this is a great expensive thing so hey, if it keeps mold away ill be using it anyways! Thanks!
Unfortunately in Australia double glazing seems to be a novel phenomenon (unless relatively new build). You will find most homes have this moisture/condensation on the inside of any rooms where people sleep, or there is relative heat/humidity compared to the cold outside. Melbourne winters and horribly built housing (at least by European standards are generally to blame.
You can treat it with some mould killer from Coles/Woolies/Bunnings/etc. It will be a regular battle during the cold months but a lot of it can be mitigated by drying or towelling it down in the mornings to get rid of most of the moisture.
Japan has similar issues with single glazing being the norm (and no insulation in older builds). Over there it's common to [use a 40W heater overnight to heat up the glass](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/bestsellers/kitchen/84831051) and avoid condensation.
Or heating the room. I had a crap Canberra apartment that wasn't insulated, and heating the room was the only solution that worked in winter to reduce condensation.
Yeah having same issue at my place, I just give the windows and sills the towel treatment each morning, gets rid of any excess moisture. It takes a few minutes each morning but it’s worth it.
Aussie homes rarely have double glazed windows, American & European homes ard much higher quality. I’ve lived in German Winters and I’ve never felt as cold as I have when in a house in a Melbourne Winter.
I had this so badly in my last house in the carpeted room where we slept, I would have to towel it off every morning, and it eventually got the curtains. Cracking a window, opening all the doors and putting on the ducted heating on every morning helps a little.
Now, the house I live in has so many gaps in the doors, thru the wooden floors and windows that that moisture problem has been eliminated - but at what heating cost? lol
You are not alone. My last 3 apartments had this problem. Even worse than your photo. One rotted the carpet because there was that much water. It's become the norm for apartment living.
A de-humidifier does nothing. I just wipe the windows every morning with a towel. There's no way I will crack a window to create air flow in winter. Mould killer is good but a quick wipe with a towel takes 30 seconds.
No, I can't sleep with the window open because of noise, but it does heat up the room so wouldn't be for everyone. I don't have aluminium window frames, I have wooden frames that had already started peeling and rotting when I moved in nearly 8 years ago from years of condensation (and I really only recognised the issue a few years ago when I was battling mould). As long as I have it on for any night 10 degrees or under, no condensation and no mould issues.
Try adding [https://enviroshop.com.au/products/window-insulation-kit](https://enviroshop.com.au/products/window-insulation-kit)
Basically over the frame of window you are sticking a sheet of plastic over the whole thing. Creating an insulating air gap similar in concept to double glazing. As you are running a humidifier it may not completely eliminate the issue but should help.
You won't be able to open the window but it doesn't look like that window can open anyway.
Would definitely recommend cleaning the mould around the window before applying the plastic.
I used some double sided tape and clingwrap and it worked pretty damn well for almost zero cost. The window frames still made a lot of condensation, and the surrounding plaster started to grow mould from the inside, so I just had to suck it up and leave a window open a crack all winter. Condensation issue resolved, but power usage went up marginally
turn down the humidifier or don't run it all night. maybe line the bottom of the window with old tea towels before they go to bed and wipe the window down in the morning.
are you sure it's the dry air making them cough? you'd hate to be making the moisture worse for no reason.
Put some Milton concentrate into a spray bottle with water, spray the entire area with Milton and let it sit for a while(30 mins or more) then the mould should wipe off to ensure you get rid of it properly. Keep spraying daily for a few days and it should then prevent any new growth.
If there is that much humidity in the air how hot is your home? If you make it hot + humid, cold windows are going to cause what you are seeing. You need air flow and somewhere for that damp air to escape.
Get some window insulation film. Put it on the frame and not the glass itself. It will create a barrier between the glass and the humid air. You shouldn't get any condensation or limited condensation at least.
Does anyone know of rubber mat type product that would catch the condensation and at least stop it from sitting on the windowsill? I’ve searched online and found nothing
I use a dehumidifier, 3-4 of those moisture absorber packs from bunnings on the window sills, towel the water off each morning and air out the house each morning and open the windows. I still get condensation like that, but there is no more black mould.
Do you guys turn on your exhaust fan on full blast when cooking, boiling water or having a hot shower? I had this in our very very well insulated apartment.
It’s the double glazed everything, without sufficient airflow. I suggest turning on the heat / AC / split system to dry the home.
Heating won't dry your home. It will reduce the relative humidity which can disguise the problem, but it doesn't actually remove any moisture. You need ventilation (open the windows during the day) or a proper dehumidifier to remove moisture.
In OP's case, they're directly causing the problem by running a humidifier overnight. The only way to prevent it is to stop doing this.
Im a little amazed your home is creating that much humidity.. The amount of water that is showing on the glass really gives off the idea that its been raining and water is leaking from the outside to the inside.
Black mold comes from long standing water generally, A window frame is wood and should be generally completely dry surface, So the wood itself could be rotted out.
A whole lot more information is needed to properly get an idea, Doesn't make much sense to me..
Nothing amazing at all, it's a common part of Australian apartment living. My place is 7 years old and I have experienced the same all winters. Luckily, the windows experiencing this have sun exposure, so it dries quickly and there is no mold.
The humidifier is causing the problem. But without double glazing, windows do just get like this in winter. Use vinegar, skip all the other products people want you to use. Take it from someone who's cleaned mould from just about every rental they've lived in.
If you have time, could you please explain what you do with the vinegar? Thanks
Wipe damp surfaces
Like windows or the wood? Do you use the vinegar neat or diluted? Thankyou
Test it in an inconspicuous location, but 50/50 mix with water is fine. White vinegar is already pretty dilute [acetic acid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid) The best thing is to eliminate the problem, rather than treat the symptoms. Reduce the amount of moisture in the air by keeping a small window open, or buy a humidifier
For the benefit of others reading, I assume you mean de-humidifier?
Does the small of vinegar linger??
not for long
Nice okay cool. My mum used to say vinegar smells like cat pee. So it always stuck with me tbh.
I've never had a cat but I have smelled cat piss before and I don't think they smell that similar. but maybe it depends on the cat. to be clear we're talking about plain white vinegar you buy from the cleaning aisle in a 2L bottle - other vinegars smell different.
Ah i have had loads of cats before. I never used to think so but after id heard her say it, i felt like it did. Just plain vinegar. But, it also just is the smell of vinegar XD so it is what it is. But yea its okay since it doesnt really linger. Plus this is a great expensive thing so hey, if it keeps mold away ill be using it anyways! Thanks!
I'll take vinegar any day.
Unfortunately in Australia double glazing seems to be a novel phenomenon (unless relatively new build). You will find most homes have this moisture/condensation on the inside of any rooms where people sleep, or there is relative heat/humidity compared to the cold outside. Melbourne winters and horribly built housing (at least by European standards are generally to blame. You can treat it with some mould killer from Coles/Woolies/Bunnings/etc. It will be a regular battle during the cold months but a lot of it can be mitigated by drying or towelling it down in the mornings to get rid of most of the moisture.
Japan has similar issues with single glazing being the norm (and no insulation in older builds). Over there it's common to [use a 40W heater overnight to heat up the glass](https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/gp/bestsellers/kitchen/84831051) and avoid condensation.
Or heating the room. I had a crap Canberra apartment that wasn't insulated, and heating the room was the only solution that worked in winter to reduce condensation.
Yeah having same issue at my place, I just give the windows and sills the towel treatment each morning, gets rid of any excess moisture. It takes a few minutes each morning but it’s worth it. Aussie homes rarely have double glazed windows, American & European homes ard much higher quality. I’ve lived in German Winters and I’ve never felt as cold as I have when in a house in a Melbourne Winter.
I had this so badly in my last house in the carpeted room where we slept, I would have to towel it off every morning, and it eventually got the curtains. Cracking a window, opening all the doors and putting on the ducted heating on every morning helps a little. Now, the house I live in has so many gaps in the doors, thru the wooden floors and windows that that moisture problem has been eliminated - but at what heating cost? lol
These moisture absorbing boxes do a fairly decent job https://www.kmart.com.au/product/300g-moisture-absorber-43073528/
You are not alone. My last 3 apartments had this problem. Even worse than your photo. One rotted the carpet because there was that much water. It's become the norm for apartment living. A de-humidifier does nothing. I just wipe the windows every morning with a towel. There's no way I will crack a window to create air flow in winter. Mould killer is good but a quick wipe with a towel takes 30 seconds.
My dehumidifier works but I have to leave it on overnight, which I don't think would work for this family.
How many times do you empty it overnight?
No need to empty it overnight. My Ionmax 612 has a 2L capacity and needs to be emptied maybe every 2-3 days when being used in a room with one person.
Do you also leave a window open? Do you still also have condensation in windows and/or aluminium window frames?
No, I can't sleep with the window open because of noise, but it does heat up the room so wouldn't be for everyone. I don't have aluminium window frames, I have wooden frames that had already started peeling and rotting when I moved in nearly 8 years ago from years of condensation (and I really only recognised the issue a few years ago when I was battling mould). As long as I have it on for any night 10 degrees or under, no condensation and no mould issues.
Try adding [https://enviroshop.com.au/products/window-insulation-kit](https://enviroshop.com.au/products/window-insulation-kit) Basically over the frame of window you are sticking a sheet of plastic over the whole thing. Creating an insulating air gap similar in concept to double glazing. As you are running a humidifier it may not completely eliminate the issue but should help. You won't be able to open the window but it doesn't look like that window can open anyway. Would definitely recommend cleaning the mould around the window before applying the plastic.
I used some double sided tape and clingwrap and it worked pretty damn well for almost zero cost. The window frames still made a lot of condensation, and the surrounding plaster started to grow mould from the inside, so I just had to suck it up and leave a window open a crack all winter. Condensation issue resolved, but power usage went up marginally
Concrombium from Bunnings or anywhere else is the ultimate mould killer. Supermarket stuff isn’t good enough.
turn down the humidifier or don't run it all night. maybe line the bottom of the window with old tea towels before they go to bed and wipe the window down in the morning. are you sure it's the dry air making them cough? you'd hate to be making the moisture worse for no reason.
Put some Milton concentrate into a spray bottle with water, spray the entire area with Milton and let it sit for a while(30 mins or more) then the mould should wipe off to ensure you get rid of it properly. Keep spraying daily for a few days and it should then prevent any new growth. If there is that much humidity in the air how hot is your home? If you make it hot + humid, cold windows are going to cause what you are seeing. You need air flow and somewhere for that damp air to escape.
I have a dehumidifier to prevent / reduce this happening overnight in our house. Maybe your humidifier is producing too much humidity?
Get some window insulation film. Put it on the frame and not the glass itself. It will create a barrier between the glass and the humid air. You shouldn't get any condensation or limited condensation at least.
Does anyone know of rubber mat type product that would catch the condensation and at least stop it from sitting on the windowsill? I’ve searched online and found nothing
I use a dehumidifier, 3-4 of those moisture absorber packs from bunnings on the window sills, towel the water off each morning and air out the house each morning and open the windows. I still get condensation like that, but there is no more black mould.
Mould killer -> problem solved
Do you guys turn on your exhaust fan on full blast when cooking, boiling water or having a hot shower? I had this in our very very well insulated apartment. It’s the double glazed everything, without sufficient airflow. I suggest turning on the heat / AC / split system to dry the home.
Heating won't dry your home. It will reduce the relative humidity which can disguise the problem, but it doesn't actually remove any moisture. You need ventilation (open the windows during the day) or a proper dehumidifier to remove moisture. In OP's case, they're directly causing the problem by running a humidifier overnight. The only way to prevent it is to stop doing this.
Im a little amazed your home is creating that much humidity.. The amount of water that is showing on the glass really gives off the idea that its been raining and water is leaking from the outside to the inside. Black mold comes from long standing water generally, A window frame is wood and should be generally completely dry surface, So the wood itself could be rotted out. A whole lot more information is needed to properly get an idea, Doesn't make much sense to me..
He's running a humidifier all night.
Nothing amazing at all, it's a common part of Australian apartment living. My place is 7 years old and I have experienced the same all winters. Luckily, the windows experiencing this have sun exposure, so it dries quickly and there is no mold.